Anne Foster Discusses the Role of Parents in Education

With an unwavering belief in public education and exuberant energy to change her community, Anne W. Foster founded a local nonprofit organization, Realtors Supporting Richardson Schools, to help thousands of students in the Richardson Independent School District (RISD) community. As a public education advocate and former elected school board member, she has profound respect and commitment for supporting parents across the country in diverse public education systems. She believes that in order to have quality public education, it takes support from all parts of the community. Parents are a vital part of that support. Parents must be involved, and schools must welcome them.Most recently, Anne served as the first executive director of Raise Your Hand Texas (RYHT), a public education advocacy organization. While establishing the organization’s office in Austin, Anne coordinated lobbying efforts for RYHT’s legislative agenda focused on public school improvement and reform. Under her leadership, the organization’s membership expanded to nearly 20,000 members. Determined to enhance statewide advocacy efforts, she developed a 200-person Speaker’s Bureau. Anne traveled and spoke frequently throughout Texas about key education reform issues, creating a new statewide accountability system, and improving funding for pre-kindergarten.